2004 – Palm Springs, California
Congresswoman Mary Bono is an established leader in both the United States Congress and throughout California’s 45th Congressional District. Mary is known for her leadership as a consensus builder, and for her passion, commitment, and success in fighting for issues of importance to 45th district constituents, the vitality of the Inland Empire, and numerous issues of national significance. Now serving her third term, Congresswoman Bono was first elected in 1998 after a special election to fill the seat left vacant by her late husband, Sonny Bono. As a member of the prestigious Energy and Commerce Committee, Congresswoman Bono is well suited to influence legislation concerning the nation’s health care, the environment and the economy. In addition, Mary serves as chair of the Congressional Salton Sea Task Force, vice-chair of the Entertainment Task Force and the Travel and Tourism Task Force and co-chair of the Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention Caucus. Congresswoman Bono has also been the subject of numerous profiles for a wide array of publications and television shows. She was named one of the Most Fascinating Women of 1998 by Ladies’ Home Journal magazine in conjunction with CBS Television and was selected by the former GEORGE magazine as one of the 20 most fascinating women in politics. In addition to her Congressional activities, Mary is both a dedicated wife to local businessman Glenn Baxley and mother of two teenagers.
